Multiple-turbine torque converter



July 12, 1960 R. c. RUSSELL 2,944,441

MULTIPLE-TURBINE TORQUE CONVERTER Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 12, 1960 R. c. RUSSELL MULTIPLE-TURBINE TORQUE CONVERTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1957 INVENTOR. v ROBE/976190355 /9 'wf Arronwsy *2,944,441 MULTIPLE-'roumain `'ronduit CONVERTER Robert `C...Russell, Shaker Heights, Ohio, :assignor lto Eaton .Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, .a

corporation of Ohio Y f nnen Mayan, 1957, ser.' No; 660,295

' `2s claims. V(ci. l"14s-iwf!) This invention relates vto v power transmission .mecha nitfcd States .atent lnisms of the'multiple-'turbine riiutid torque converter type and, as one of its objects, provides a transmission oi this type yin which a "high degree of torque amplification is obtainable for an operating range of Wide scope` and ,sub-

such geared torque amplicati'on, andkwithout interfer- 4kence bykan'y premature tendency of tliejftransmission to assumeV a coupled condition'in' which ytorque ,amplification has substantially disappeared.. f

A further object is toprovidersuch ajtorquefconverter .ztypeof transrm'ssion` having .cooperatingfrotatablebladed annular members defining a toroi'dal -lluid'fcircuiand in which blade elements yof at -leastfone lof the'ibladed tive positions in the fluid circuit. v l

` Still another object is to provide atorque converter transmission of 'the kind mentioned above in which 'the automatic vshifting of :suchlblade elements to the .different l members are shiftable automatically to different-operaoperative positionszis .accomplished in responsefto a con- .trol rotational :movement beween .a blade `actuating member and the member .carrying'theshiftable lblade.

elements. l Y

Yet another object is to provide a torque rconverter type of transmission in which the member carrying the shiftable :blade elements also has other :blade elements l-txedthereon, and in which the control `rotational move- .ment for automatically shifting the shjftable blade elements s invresponse to .impingement of uid of the .circuit against such other blade elements.

It is likewise an object yof this invention toprovide such a `torque converter type of transmission in which the cooperating bladed membersinclude apump meansfand vin which member carrying the ,fshiftable blade elements in a `reaction means and 4the shiftabjle blade elements are located adjacent the inlet portion of the pump means.

Additionally this invention provides a transmission of the kind above referred'w, in which the' mechanical ygearing is of the` epicyclc type and preferably comprises -in-Y terconnected planetary gear'trains and is at times referred to herein as acompound planetary gearsystem.

vOther objects and ladvantages of this invention will be apparent inthe -following detailed description and in .the accompanying Vdrawings forming. a part of this .specification and in which: y

Fig. :l is a ,partial vertical axissection Ytakenr through atransmission mechanisml embodying thezpresent inven- V tion.

FigfZ is a fragmentary laxia'l section corresponding with a portion of Fig. v1 and showing the reaction means in detached relation, the view being 4taken substantially .as indicatedby section line 2 2 of .Fig 3.

Fig. y3 "is .an/end elevation of the reaction means yof Fig. 2.

Fig. '4 is an endelevation similar to that ofliig. 3 .but with the ,shitable `blade elements in Ya different operative position. i A

' Fig. l5 is a diagrammatic representation of the cooperating bladed annular members "and .illustrates the. action ofthe uid andthe setting `ofthe 'shiftable blades during the stall or starting condition of the vehicle equipped with the present' transmission; and Y AFig. 6y is a 'diagrammatic `view similar :to-that of Fig. 5, but illustrating lthe* action 'of the tluid andthe position vof vthe shiftable blades lduring cruising operation of the vehicle equipped Awith this transmission.

As representing onepractical embodiment loftheppres- A ent invention, Fig. l shows the'novel transmission mechanisml() ascornprising in ygeneral a stationary outer 'housing l11 having substantially coaxially 'aligned rotatable input and output shafts 12 and 13, a torque converter unit 14 rotatable in the housing 11 about the common axis of the shafts 12 and 13, and mechanical rgearing 15 located in the housing 11 and operable to connect bladed components of the torque converter unit 1'4 Withjtheoutput shaft 13 v The onterhousing 11 ishere represented by a housing member 17 which has .its forward end ysuitablyattached tov avehicle engine-orlpower uni-t 18, and has its 'rear end connected with stationary support members 20Y and 21 by means vofvbolts 22 and 23.v oil Zjpumpv2'4 'of bthe' i :gear andA crescent typeV is her'egshown asbeinglocatedfjin thesupport member l2.11 and includesinternall 25 in meshedfenga'gementwith agear'26 which-'isfdriven fromthe toque converter-*unit 14 iinthe` manner explained hereinafter.

The input shaft Ycan availableepowe shaft; such as the rear end of the crankshaft fof/an internal Y combustion engine, and carries La' 'bell-shaped annular driving lflange '27 'for connection with 'the 'torque converter :unit .14,1asf will be presently explainedlr 'The'. output `shaft f 11 atrear end "thereof rprojects lfrom thehous'ing yfor .connection withV the load to 'be driven.

The torque :converter unit'14 Avcomprises la 'group vof relatively rotatable bladed annular members v'33, 34, 35 and 36 in cooperating relationand defining' a toroidal fluid path ory circuit 33 interiorly of this unit. The ,first member of this group is a :hollow yannularpump member 33 having an annular group of. spaced blades or varies 33a therein and .is adapted to be rotatably ydriven bythe input shaft 12 by reason of this member being l'connected with the .annularllange 27 of the input-'shaft as bygmeans of the bolts '28. f

The pumprme'mber :i3v is `provided centrally thereof with a` hollow axial hub 41 located substantiallyfonthe central axis of the unit 14 and rotatably supported in the stationary member 2.1 by means `of anantifrictionbearing f42. f vThe hub 41 of thepumprmember 313 is disposed around,

and spaced from, ya' stationary .sleeve 43 "which-extends into'the housing .11 from l'the rear end thereof yin as'urrounding coaxial relation tothe output shaft 413.k The -Ysleeve .43 can beconnected withl the stationarymemberl 20 as by means of thetransverse lpin 43a.

the bladed portion of the pump member is secured .as by means of rivets. 'Il-he rear end of the -hubl 41 is provided with a toothed portion 44 havnga drivingfconnection with the gear 26 of the oil pump 24. Y

.The pump member33 is also supported adjacent-the front end ofthe unitf14 by a bell-shapedv support ange sigaar The hub 41 carries a radial `'annular flange 41rz'to which Y Y directly from the latter.

29 of an axial hub 30. The hub 30 is rotatably supported by an antifriction bearing 31 which is mounted therein and retained on a reduced portion .32 of the output shaft 13 by a cap screw 32a. The hub 30 has a central yaxial opening therein which is closed by a screw delivery portion 46 of the pump member -33 to receive the velocity discharge of fluiddirectly from the latter. The turbine 34 includes a substantially bell-shaped supportange 47 by which this turbine is connected with an outer support hub 48. The outer hub 48 is disposed in surrounding relation to an inner hollow axial hub 49 which is journalled on a spacer sleeve 49a disposed around the shaft portion 312. The hub 49 is connected with, or' formsl a part of, one of the gear members of the gear means as will be explained hereinafter.

The outer and inner hub members 48 and 49 also form v the outer and inner races of a one-way clutch device 50 Y having an annular group of clutch rollers 51 disposed between such races. The turbine 34 is supported by the one-way clutch 50 for rotation about the axis of the output shaft 13 in the manner explained hereinafter.

The second or secondary turbine 35 is a hollow annular member containing an annular group of blades or vanes 35a. The member 35 is the third bladed member of the series and is located immediately adjacent the first turbine 34 to receive the velocity stream of fluid This second turbine can also be referred to as a low speed turbine. The turbine 35 for rotation by having the hub 54 journalled on a hub 755 of the next adjacent bladed annular member 36.

The bladed annular member 36 of the torque converter unit 14 is 'a hollow member having a curved annular-passage 57 containing a @first annular group of i fixed vanes or blade elements 36a and a second annular group of shiftable vanes or blade elements 36b. The member 36 is the fourth bladed member of the series.

-As will be -further explained hereinafter, this fourth bladed member 36 functions at certain times asV a reaction member and at other times as a turbine or runner, and can therefore be referred to either as a reaction member or turbine, or as a combination turbine and reaction member.

Thisbladed member 36 is disposed in the series so that the portion 57a thereof containing the blade elements 36a is located immediately adjacent the second turbine 35 and receives the discharged fluid directly from the latter. The passage portion 57h containing the shiftable blade elements 36b is located immediately adjacent the pumpmember 33 and delivers the fluid into the inlet portion 58 of the latter. As shown in Fig. l, the inlet passage portion 57a containing the fixed blade elements 36a extends in a radial direction relative to the axis of the output shaft l13 and the discharge passage portion containing the shiftable blade elements 36b extends in an axial direction parallel to the output shaft.

The mechanical gear means 15 comprises gear trains Vof the epicyclic type and provides a torque amplifying ,one-way brake device 75.

cludes a sun gear 62 lying substantially opposite the second ring gear 61, and a carrier means 63 which is drivingly connected with the output shaft 13.

The rst ring gear 60 is carried by an annular flange 58 of the inner hub 49 so as to be rotatably supported by the latter and is adapted to be connected with the rst turbine 34 by the clutch device 50. The second ring gear `61 is connected with the annular support flange 53 of the second turbine 35 as by the rivets 59.

The planetary gearing 15 additionally comprises interconnected planet gears or pinions l64 and 65 of which the planet gear 64 is in meshed engagement with the first ring gear 60.' The planet gear 65 is disposed between, and is in meshed engagement with, the second ring gear 61 and the sun gear 62. The two interconnected planet gears 64 and `65 constitute a set of planet gears and, although Fig. 1 shows only one such set of planet gears, it will be understood that there may be a plurality of such sets distributed in an annular group around the carrier means 63.

The carrier means 63 may be of any appropriate construction and is here shown as comprising a body having a central hollow axial hub 67 which is fixed on the output shaft 13 by the splined connection 68. The body Vportion 69 is connected directly with the hub 67. The

carrier 63 also comprises one or more pivot shafts 71 extending substantially parallel to the output shaft 13 and having their ends mounted in the flange and ring portions 69 and 70.

The planet gears 64 and 65 are of suitable diameters in relation to their associated ring gears 60 and 61, such that their meshed engagement with the ring gears will provide different desired gear ratios for thefrespective turbines 34 and 35. The planet gears 64 and vv65 are here shown as being integrally connected ina substantially coaxially extending relation and are rotatably supported by `one of the pivot shafts 7-1. In this instance the planet gears 64 and 65 are mounted on the pivot shaft 71 by means of needle bearings 74.

The sun -gear `62 is disposed around the output shaft 13 and is supported by the stationary sleeve 43 through a The sun gear preferably includesfan axial hub or'sleeve 76 with a portion thereof Vforming an outer race 77 for the one-way brake 75. The

outer race 77 is disposed in surrounding relation to an inner race 78 which is mounted in a fixed relation on the brake 75 permits a relatively free forward rotation of the sun gear 62 but prevents rotation of this gear in the reverse direction.`

The shiftable blade elements 36b of the combination turbine and reaction member 36 are movable to different operative positions vin the discharge passage portion 57b and, for this purpose, are secured on pivot shafts 82 which extend generally radially across this passage portion. The` pivot shafts 82 have their outer ends journalled in the annular wall 84 of the combination member 36 and at their inner ends are provided with crank arms 85. The straight shaft portions 86 adjacent the crank` arms 85 are journalled in radial bearing grooves 87 formed in the right hand end of the hub portion 55 of this combination member. An annular bearing cap 83 having similar radial grooves therein is secured to the hub portion 55 by screws 89 to complete the journal mounting of the pivot ments 36b, the transmission 10 is provided with an actuating member 90 which is associated with the pivot shafts s amsn .l32a11d1is here-shownas beingan axialliy'-extendingusileeye .or ring surrouodinggthexiied sleeve 43 and.' rotatably zrrlountel` thereon as by means ofthe bushing :91. The

.angular extent of this rotational controlmoyennant; can

be any amount suitable to. .the particular transmission mechanism under consideration! .and whichv will be Ysuicient to produce the desired1 extcntzof actuation `of lthe shiftable blade elements 36h. Luithetransmission mech anism 10, this rotational control movement. is `arelatinelyV small angular movement. occurring between kthe hub-5.5

and the actuating member Nas-permitted by the radial lugs,.92fof the latterwhich extend into.l circumferential recesses Vor slots 93 of the hub. 1

The actuating member V90 is also provided. with an .annular group of axial slots 94, which are here shownzas 'being substantially straight axial slots, formed in.v the periphery of this member at a point adjacentthe lugs-92. 'Ille crank arms 85 of the pivot shafts 82 of the shiftable blade elements 36b are engaged in the slots 94 and cause swinging of the shiftable blade elements in response to the rotational control movement occurring between the member 36 and the actuating member 90.

Although the member 90 hasbeen identifiedA and referred to above as an actuating member for causing shifting of the bladeelements 36b, in a stricter sense, this memberis an abutment member against which the-.crank Varms 85 of the pivot shafts. 86I are reactively effective 4during .the rotational control movement of the combina- :tiony turbine and reactionA member 36, for causing the automatic, shifting of thefshiftable blade elements. The abutment :member Sllli's' preferably connectedfwith the sleeve .portion 76 of the sun gear '62; Yasby means of. screws 9.6, v:such Ythat the. rotationr of'thegactuating member. is Vcontrolled bythe one-way.brake,75and;wi1l.

.fisvavery eectivetorquerdeiiyery wlliehjis'A highly desir- Vv.able-for.starting heavyloadjs and for rapidv acceleration whenever needed.

Asthe 4vehicle picksupspeed and the secondl turbine .35 startsiits, forward drive and progressively assumes more' and` more 'of the torque load, the. overall ratio progressiyely diminishes-.both-in the -iluidY action and in the gearing 15 wherein the second ring gear 61 andits as-y sociated planete .gear y65 have, nowbecome effective.v The :operation ofthe. ltransmission ultimately reaches; .the point wherethe turbine 'has assumedsubstantially the full torque load withA .the torque. being transmittedv through the.. planet; gear .65 substantially'independently ofthe first.

turbine; 3.4;.a1idthe planet gear-6.4. When this operating condition reached the :amplication vratio will be a value somewhat greater than the minimum 1.64 to 11.0

value and.4 the remaining duid-action amplicationwill.

'thenfbezonly a small. component-of, the overall ratio.

. During the above-explainedioperation of the transmission 10, `the fourth bladed member 36 of. the series initiallyv functions. as; a reaction member, at which time it isA held .against reverse .rotation by the brake device 75. Graduallyfthe function of; themember 36 changes from, that ofxareaction member to a forward driving turbinemember andit. then imparts forward. rotation to the sun vgear 62. Eventually,y the bladed members all rotate in thezforward directionas a unit and at the same speed, atwhich timeall torque amplification willjbe. ex hausted and'thetorque converter unit 1'4 will bev in a iluidl coupled condition and the vtransmission 10 will be operating with substantially .a 1.0 to 1.0 ratio.

During the starting or stall condition` of operation-of vthe transmissionzll: or .during-anyperiod of accelerabe freely; rotatable in a forwarddirection withgthe snn vrgear but-will Vbe held against reverse: rotation, simultan;

-neously withv the sun gear, by this one-way brake.

f annular thrustring: 9.8 is preferablyfprovided beltween the flange portion 41a of the mounting hub 41,of

'.the'pump'member 33 andthe hub portion 55*Y of thecom` .bination member 36 forholding'the. latterzin :the desired position. axially of` the transmission 10, g

From the above description ofthe transmission 10v it will be seen that the bladed annular members., 33, 34, 3'5 andY 36 are inV a series relation and arev traversed insuc- -cessionnn the order nametlby the iluid ofthe toroidal -fluidcircuit 38. through the combination member 36 will impingearst against the relatively fixed blade `elements 36a and will lbe subsequentlyv directed into the inlet portion 58 of the pump. member 33 by the shiftable blade elements 36b.

The ring gearsrl and 61 and their associated planet gems 64 and 65 can be of any appropriate pitch diameters and, for example, may provider` torque amplifying gear vratios' of.2.'40 to 1.0 and 1.64 toY r1.0. With appropriate bladeshapes and angles for the members 33', 3'4 and 35, :and with vthe sun gear 62.and'the combination ymember 36he1d against reverse rotation by their common onewayrbrake'f75, the: torque converter 1|4 can readily'procharged -by the secondaryatrbine 315' againstV the vfixed' A- blade elements 36a :issuchafs totendto cause `rotation of the `combinationmember 36in a reverse direction. v At `this timc,jthe17memberz 36V will actually rotate'in suchia reverse direction to .'the extent .permitted by `the lugs v92;v while the surrgear 62 -and'the 'abutment member 9.0 are :being heldagainst reverse rotation by the one-way Ybrake-75. ff f' This vreverse rotation of' the: member 36 relative =to r the abutment member 90 is .the above-mentioned rota- It will also be seen that the fluidpassing .duce 'a torque amplification by iluid action of a ratio of 'nectedwith the ring gear 60 through a Vlocked Vcondition of theone-way clutch 50v such that torque will then be 'supplied through? the gearing '15 tothe output shaft 13 at the overall torque .amplifyingratio of-4i3 101.0. This -tional-'control movement 'which causesv swinging of the blade elements 3612 and results. in thesebladef elements assuming the setting thereof shown in Figs. V3a'nd 5. When the blade elements 36h are inl the positionI shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the inenrber36 will be of maximum effectiveness fas a reactionmember and will cause ajhigh value of fluid-action torque amplicationfto be achieved. As the speed of rotation vofthe secondary turbine 35 increases, the direction of impingement of the lluid discharged thereby against the fixed blade elements 36a will change progressively, and ultimately, the direction of-this` impingement will be such as to-cause a forward rotation of the member 36. While the speed of rotation of the secondary lturbine 35 is thus increasing and this member is assuming more and more of the torque-*load ofthe output shaft 13, the sun gear 62 is `functioning as a reaction gear which is being held against reverse rota tion by the one-way brake 75. Since thel abutment member is connected with the sun gear 62 and is also held against reverse rotation bythe one-way brake 75, the. forward rotation of the member 3.6 relative to the abutment member 9i), as produced by the .impingement of the fluid `against the xed blades 36a and to the extent permitted by the circumferential slots 93, 'is a rotational control movement which causes thev crank arms to swing the blade elements 36b to the cruising position shown in Figs. 4 andV 6.

- As the speed of the driven load or vehicle increases, the sun gear 62Y will begin to rotatein a forward direction. The initialforward rotation of the sun gear 62. will'` be relatively slowerthan that of the member 36, such, that lthe dierential or resultant movement between Vthe sun 'the blade elements 36b toward their crusing position of Figs 4 as produced thereby,will be a desired gradual swmgmg.

When the blade elements 36b occupy the setting shown in Figs. 4 and 6, they direct the fluid into the inlet portion 58 of the pump member 33 smoothly and with minimum turbulence such that the' reaction elect of the combination member 36 will then be of a minimum or zero value and the torque converter unit 14 will operate with maximum eciency during the fluid-coupled condition of its bladed members.

In the operation of a vehicle equipped with the transmission 10, an extended range of torque ampliiication is obtainable because the blade elements 36b will be shifted automatically to their different settings in response to changes in the operating condition of the vehicle. Thus, when the vehicle is operating at a high rate of speed, such as seventy miles per hour, with an intermediate throttle position, the 1.6 amplification ratio of the gear means 14 can still be used because the actuation of the throttle at this time to its full-open position will result in a fluid discharge from the turbine 35 lin a rearward direction and this will cause the blade elements 36b to from the turbine 35 will be in a Iforward direction and will result in the blade elements 36b being shifted to their coupling position of Figs. 4 and 6.A

From the accompanying drawings and the foregoing detailed description it will accordingly .be understood that this invention provides a Vtransmission mechanism embodying a iluid torque converter unit, in which at least one ofthe bladed'members of the torque converter unit carries blades which are automatically shiftable from one operating position to another in the fluid circuit, such that for one setting of the shiftable blades the iiuid will have a maximum eiectiveness on the member carrying the same and a minimum effectiveness thereon for another setting of the blades. v

It will now also be understood that the member carrying the shiftable blades is preferably a combination turbine and reaction member which also has other blades fixed thereon, such that a rotational control movement for actuating the shiftable blades is automatically Vobtainable in response to changes in the direction of impingement of the fluid against the fixed blades.- It will be understood further that when the shiftable blades are a part of a reaction member they will, for one setting thereof, produce a maximum fluid reaction effect and, for another setting thereof, will cause the iluid to be smoothly directed into the intake portion of the pump member for the achievement of m-aximum efciency of operationwhen the members of the torque converter unit are in a fluid-coupled condition.

Additionally, it will be seen that this invention achieves 'the automatic shifting of the shiftable blades by a rotarelatively rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal uid circuit and vincluding pump means, turL bine means, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed in a series relat1on to 'be' traversed in succession in the order named yby the iluid of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a pinion gear car- Vrier means of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising a main gear means connected with said turbine means,

and pinion gear means on said carrier means and having meshed engagement with said main gear means and said reaction gear means; said gear system providing for the transmission of torque from said turbine meansy to said output means through saidcarrier means; said re'- action means having blade elements shiftable thereon to different operative Vpositions and said reaction means having limited rotation relative to said reaction gear means; and means responsive to such limited relative rotation for shifting said blade elements to said different operative positions.

2. A power transmission as defined in claim l in which said reaction means has a fluid discharge portion located to deliver uid directly'to said pump means; and in which Vsaid blade elements are located in said discharge portion. v

3. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rota-table bladed annular members defining a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, turbine means, anda combination turbine and reaction member inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed ina series relation-to be traversed in succession in the order named by the'uid of said circuit and5 said combination' member having blade elements shi'table thereon to differentl operative positions; rotatable power input'means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a pinion gear carrier means of which the'latter is drivingly connectedrwtih said output means; -said gear system also comprising a main gear means connected with said turbine means, land pinion gear means on said ca-rrier means and having meshed engagement with said main gear means and said reaction gear means; said gear systemproviding for the transmission of torque -from said turbine means to said output means; said combination member having limited rotation relative to said reaction gear means; and means responsive to such limited relative rotation for shifting said blade elements to said dif.- ferent operative positions. t

4. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rotatable bladed yannular members dening a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, primary and secondary turbines, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed in a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the uid of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a pinion gear Vcarrier means of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising interconnected epicyclic gear trains including pinion gears on said carrier means, and first and second main gears connected with said primary and secondary turbines; said gear ltrains providing for the transmission of torque from said turbines to said output means iat diierent ratios through said carrier means; said reaction means having blade yelements shiftable thereon to different operative positions and said reaction means having limited rotation relative to said reaction gear means; and means responsive to such limited relative rotation for shifting said blade elements to said diierent operative positions.

rief' mea'ns-`v andi; having meshed,"engagement-` with' s maingearfmeansand s'aidrreaction gearfrneansgsaid gear 5. In a. power transmission; aA groupfoft-cooperatirg `relatively rotatable bla'ded annular,,membersY defining a toroidal fluid circuit and inczuding pump means,iprim ary and secondary turbinesandY -a combination turbine 'and reaction member inhibitedv against-reverse,v rotation; said members 'being disposed in a series relationtofbe.l traversed in succession in the order named Vby theduid of said circuit `and saidcombina-tion member havingblade elements shiftablethereonfto different operative-positions; rotatable power inputrneans connected with saidpump means;rotatable.outputv means; an epicyclic gear system includingareacti-on gear means inhibited againstnrevense rotation and a pinion, gear carrier means -of which: the

latter is drivingly connected with said output` mea-115;

saidgear systemvalso comprising interconnectedrepicyclic gear'trains including pinionl gears on said carrier means, and first and second` main,v gears connected wit-l Saidfpnimary and secondary turbines; said 'gear trains providing forthe'transrnission'of torque `from' said turbines tosaid outputdne'ansfatv difter'entv ratios through Said carrier means; said combinationtmember, having: limited; rotation relative to said` reactionf gear means;` and meansrespon- -sive to such limiteds relative rotation for shifting Saidv clrivinglyv connected 'with saidv output rrieansgsaid.v gea systemal'so comprising a manwgeargmeans i;Qrinectc'dI with said turbine means, and pinion `gearn-ieans, onsajid aid 'system providingfor the Vtransmission. of torque from-@said turbinemeans t-o-'saidfoutputmeans throug'nfsaidicar er means; Isaid reactionfemea'ns lha-ving blade elements? r a-r tively Ifinedl thereon-v andv other.;V `blade elements shiftable .Las

thereon to different `Operative positionsin said fluidfc'ir- 1 cuitysaid reaction means being'subject to a rotation tend- $5 :encyT iir--a backward :direction in response-to a rstzimpingement action of: thel duid' discharge 'ofv saiditurbinl meansagainst the txed blade elements, and beingalso subjectto a subsequent rotationt'endency ina yforwan'd d irection inrespons'eto a diifcrentimpingement actionof the luid discharge of 'said Vturbine means .against said -iixed blade elements; a rotatable abutment'member connected with said reaction gearrmeans and-eiectiver in causing shifting ofv said other bladeelements; lcooperable stop elementsefective between said abutment member and said' reaction means 'for limiting "relative-'rotation .therebetween toaA control` rotational' movement-of. said reaction means; Oneway brake means .eiective'V on vsaid Yabutment member and said reaction lgear-means -to prevent backward rotation thereof, :and to also prevent, bacjleward rotation of said reactionfmeans. beyondthelinted rotation'thereof permitted by said` stop elements; and means effective between said abutment member and said tot-her,VV blade Velements for'shiftingfthelatter -to said dif-V response' to said controlrotational fferent positions in movement.

v7'. ln a--Ipower transmission a groupY of cooperating relatively rotatablebladedannularfmembers' defining a vtoroida'l fiuid circuit and includingpurnp means, turbine means,yand'reaction means inhibited againstfreversefro- :f

tation; said members being disposed in avseries relation to be traversed in succession in the order named'byvthe fluid of' said circuit; rotatable power .input meansvconnected with-said pump means; rot-atablesoutput -meansgpan epicyclic gear system includingy afreacti'ongear yinhibitedi'again'stei reverse rotation and a; pinion; gehn-ear.-

v`output:means through said` carriery means; said reaction measfcliavingrelatively fixed blade elements thereonand Ialso, *having* other blade elements relatively shiftable thereoni to: different operative positions; said reaction 'means havingflimitedrotation relative to said vreaction gear means-:in respnsetoimpingement of said fluid against .said fixed blad@ elements; and means, responsive to such limitedrelativetrotation for shifting` said other blade elementsi to said different operative positions.

v L8. A power. transmission as dened in-claim 7 in which saidreaction. means has an inletportion locatedto. relceive'fi'uid directly from said'turbine means and a'dischargezportionlocated to' deliver` fluidV directly to said pump means; andin whichssaid fixed blade elementsf are inzsaidr inlet4 portion and said. other blade elements are in said.l dischargez portion.. i I i 9.1 Ina power; transmission; a group of cooperating relatively'.v rotatable4 bladed annular members defining` a 'toroidalf duidt circuit andfincluding pump means,turbine means, ,andzreaction means inhibited. against reverse rotation;saidtrnembersibeing disposed vin a series relation to bev traversed inirsuccession inthe order named by` the -idofI said*.circuinfrot'atablepower input means. connectedV with saidI pump` means; rotatable output means; epicyclicgearesystem including fa reaction gear means and a pinion' rgear. carr'iermeansy of whichy the lattierlisv sc rivvinglyg,connected;V with: 'saidoutput means; said; gearsys- Stem;al'so-; ,comprisingr a. main igearimeans connected with said A unbine; meansgzand pinion gear meansfonasaidrcarrier Y and having; meshed engagement withsaidfn'iain eans-and 'saidreaction gearrmeansssaid gear- :'sys

"ten'r providing# 'fors thetransmission `oirtorque"from s'aid .turbine means .jtossaid' output' meanszfthrough, said carrierl J means; said reactionA means having*relatively fixed-blade Y'elementsthereon and alsol .having otherfblade-elements relativelyffshiftable thereon .to Adifferent operative `positionsiA Aa `r`vv rotatable actuating VAmember; p rotation 1contro1k lmeans:comprisingA one-.way brake Vmeans preventingairef v"verse rotationy ofsaidactuatingv member and of -said `reaction :gear means; saidreaction means having a rotational vcontrol movement relative tol said actuating'fmembetfin response to,l impingem'ent of saidiiuid: against said fixed blade elementsgzmeansrfor limiting the-extent: of saidv toroidalz'fiuidcircuitand including pur'np means, turbine means, and-fa' combination turbine and reaction. member inhibited against reverse rotation;` said: members being disposed inriaiseries relation to be' traversed in succession 'in the. order named by vthe uid'of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means;.ro' tatable outptitmeansj' yan epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means inhibited `against reversey rotation and a: piniongear carrier meansof Which'the latter .is`

drivingly' connected with said'r output means; said :gear system' also comprising Va main gear means connected with; saidV turbine' means; and pinion' gear means on` saidV carrier'means and having meshe'dengagement with said maingearmeans andY said reaction-gear means; said gear system providingrfor the transmission of torque troni said -turbine means.v to ysaid output means; saidr combination Y member having relatively fixed bladecIementsthereQn and alsa havinaothef blade .elements relatively shifted@ -thereon to different operative positions; saidcombination 'member having limited rotation relative to said reaction relatively rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, primary fand secondary turbines, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed in a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the 4fluid of said circuit; rotatable power input -means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction -gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a pinion gear carrier means of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising interconnected epicyclic gear trains including pinion `gears on said carrier means, and first and second main gears connected with said primary and secondary turbines; said gear trains providing for the transmission of-torquefrom said turbines to said output means at different ratios through said carrier means; said reaction means having relatively fixed blade elements thereon and also having other blade elements relatively shiftable thereon toditerent operative positions; said reactionmeans having limited rotation relative to said reaction gear means in response to impingement of said iiuid against said xed blade elements; and means responsive to such limited relative rotation for shifting said other blade elements to said different operative positions. Y v

12. In. a power transmission; a group of cooperating relativelyy rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal, fiuid circuit and including pump means, primary and secondary turbines, and a combination turbine and reaction'- member inhibited against reverse rotation; said lmembers being disposedin a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the .fluidi of said circuit; dierent operative positions; rotatable power 'input' means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including ka reaction gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a lpinion gear carrier means of which the latter is drivingly connected-with said output means; said gear system also -comprising interconnected epicyclic gear trains including pinion gears on said carrier means and iirst and-second main gears connected with said primary and secondary turbines; said gear trains providing for the transmission of torque from said turbines to said output means at different ratios through said carrier means; said combination member having relatively fixed blade elements thereon and also having other blade elements relatively shiftable thereon to different operative positions; said combination member having limited rotation relative to said reaction gear means in response to impingement of said fluid against said fixed blade elements; and means responsive to such limited relativev rotation for shifting said Vother blade elements to said different operative positions.

' '13. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular members` defining a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, turbine means, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed in a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the finid of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; a planetary; gear system including a sun gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a planet carrier means and of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising ring gear means connected with said turbine means, and planet, pinion means on said carrier means and having meshed engagement ,with said ring gear means and said sun gear means; "said gear system providing for the transmission of torque 'from said turbine `means to said output means through said carrier means; said reactionl means having blade ele- 'ments shiftable thereon to different operative-positions 'which said'reaction means has relatively fixed blade elements thereon and also has other blade elements rela- .tively shiftable thereon to different operative positions;

and wherein the limited rotation of said reaction means relative to said sun gear means is in response to impingement of said uid against said fixed blade elements.

15. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, primary and secondary turbines, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being disposed in a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the fluid of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; a planetary gear system including a sun gear means inhibited against reverse rotation and a planet carrier means and of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising interconnected planetary gear trains including planet gears on said carrier means and ring gears connected to said primary and secondary turbines; said gear trains providing for the transmission of torque from said turbines to said output means at different ratios through 'said carrier means; said reaction means having blade elements shiftablerthereon to diierent operative positions and said reaction means having limited rotation relative to said sun gear means; and means responsive to such limited relative rotation for shifting said blade elements to said different positions.

Vof said uid against said fixed blade elements. 45

`17. In a power transmissiom'a group of Vcooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal Huid circuit and including pump means, turbine means and reaction means; said members being disposed in a series relation to be traversed in succession in the order named by the fluid of said circuit; rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means an'd a pinion gear carrier means and of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising a main gear means connected with said turbine means, and pinion gear means on said carrier means and having meshed engagement with saidmain gear means and said reaction gear means; said gear system provided for the transmission lof? torque from said turbine means to said output means through said carrier means; an actuating means connected with said reaction gear means and having an annular series of grooves therein; brake means for preventing reverse rotation of said reaction gear means and said actuating means; said reaction means having a rotational control movement relative to said actuating means; pivot shafts on said reaction means and having lever members engaged with said grooves for causing rotation of said pivot shafts in response to said rotational control movement; and blade elements connected with said pivot shafts and swingable thereby to different operative positions in said iiuid circuit.

18. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal fluid circuit and including pump means, turbine 1-3 v means and reaction means; said'memb'ers being disposed in a series relation to be traversedvin. succession inthe ordernamed .by the Ylluidof said circuit; .rotatable ower inputmeans connected withtsaid pump 'means,;.-rot atable output means; an epicyclic gear system including a reaction gear means and a pinion gear carrier means and of which the latter is drivingly connected with said output means; said gear system also comprising a main gear means connected with said turbine means, and pinion gear means on` said carrier means and having meshed engagement with said main gear means and said reaction gear means; said gear system providing for the transmission of torque from said turbine means to said output means through said carrier means; afrotatable actuating memberY having an annular series of grooves therein; rotation control means comprising one-way bra-ke means preventing reverse rotation of said actuating member and of said reaction gear means; said reaction means having a rotational control movement relative to said actuating member; co-operating stop elements for limiting the extent of said rotational control movement of said reaction means; pivot shafts on said reaction means and having lever members engaged with said grooves for causing rotation of said pivot shafts in response to said rotational control movement; and blade elements connected with said pivot shafts and swingable thereby to different'operative positions in said fluid circuit.

19. In a power transmission; a group of cooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular members dening a toroidal iluid circuit and including pump means, turbine means and reaction means; said members being disposed in a series relation to begtraversed in succession in the order named bythe iluid of-said circuit;-rotatable power input means connected vwith said pump means; rotatable output means; an epicyclic'gear system including a re-V action gear means Vand a pinion gear carrier means of which the latter is drivingly connected withV said 'output means; said gear 'system also comprising amain gear `means connected withV said turbine means; and pinion gear means on said carrier means and havingmeshed engage ment with said main gear means and said reaction gear connected'witli;aid'reacton; Vgear means; rotation con-v trol means comprising-io'ne-waybrake; means preventing pump means, turbine means and reactor means; power means; said gear system providing for the transmission of torque from said turbine means to said output means through said carrier means; an actuating means connected with said reaction gear means and having an an- Vnular series of grooves therein; brake meansffor preventing reverse rotation of said reaction gear means and f said actuatnig means; first blade elements carried by said reaction means in a iixed relation thereon; said reaction means having a rotational control movement relative to said actuating means in response to impingement of said fluid against said first blade elements; pivot shafts on said reaction means and having lever members engaged with said grooves 4for causing rotation of said pivot shafts in response torsaid rotational control movement; and other blade elements connected with'said pivot shafts and swingable thereby to diierent operative positions. v

input means connected with said pump means; a power output means; torque transmitting gear means comprising a train of gear members operably connecting said turbine means with said output means for delivery of torque to the latter in a forward driving direction and including a reaction gear member; said reactor means having blade elements relatively xed thereon andy other blade elements shiftable thereon to dierent operative positions in said uid circuit; said reactor means being subject to a rotation tendency in a backward direction in response to a rst impingement action of the ii'uid discharge of said turbine means against the iixed blade elements, Iand being also subject to a subsequent rotation tendency in a forward direction in response to a difvferent impingement action of the fluid discharge of said turbine means against said fixed blade elements; an abutment member connected with said reaction gear member and bei-ng rotatable about the axis of said out- Aput means and elective in causing shifting of said other blade elements; co-operable stop elements elective between said abutment member and said reactor means for limiting relative rotation therebetween toa contro-l ro-v tational movement of said reactor means; one-way brake means eliective on said reaction gear member and on said abutment member to prevent backward rotation f thereof; and-being also effective on said re'actorrneans to preventrbackward rotationof the reactor means beyond memberk and said other blade elements for shifting the latter -to' said diierent-positions in response to said control rotational movement.`

22. Ina power transmission of the iiuid coupling type having cooperating relatively rotatable bladed annular 20. In a power transmission mechanism of the combined fluid torque converter and mechanical geartrain type; a group of cooperating rotatable bladed annular members defining a toroidal Kfluid circuit including pump means, primary and secondary turbines, and reaction means inhibited against reverse rotation; said members being in a series relation in said circuit to be traversed successively in the order named by the uid thereof;

rotatable power input means connected with said pump means; rotatable output shaft means; rotatable gear-carf rier means having a drive connection with said output shaft means; dual planetary gear means operably connecting said turbines with said output shaft means through said gear-carrier means and including a reaction gear means; said reaction means having blade elements shiftable thereon to occupy diierent operative positions in said circuit; a rotatable actuating member members defining a toroidal uid circuit and including pump means, turbine means and reactormeans; power input means connected with said pump means; a power output means; torque transmitting means operably .connecting said turbine means with said output means for delivery of torque to the latter in a forward driving direction; said reactor means having blade elements relatively xed thereon and other blade elements shiftable thereon to different operative positions in said fluid circuit; a rotatable actuating member; brake means effective on said actuating member for preventing backward rotation thereof;` said reactor means having a control rotational movement relative to said actuating member in response to impingement of the uid against the rela-V sage portion in said circuit andan axially disposed pas- Y sage portion in said circuit; andin which said fixed blade elements are in said radially disposed passage portion and said other blade elements are in said axially disposed passage portion.

y (References on following page) 15 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS "1,636,262 Troendly July 19, 1927 2,187,937 De Lava-nd Jan. 23, 1940 2,795,154 Russell June 11, 1957 FGREIGN PATENTS Germany Dec. 4, 1924 Great Bn'tain Mar. 18, 1935 France f.. Apr. 21, 1957 

